Nigeria’s Police Headquarters has been rocked by fresh controversy following allegations that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, authorised an urgent digital operation to remove online content linking him to Nigerian socialite Nzube Henry Ikeji, who has been accused of involvement in a high-profile international fraud case.
According to Sahara reporters, Multiple senior police officers spoke to them on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisals, that the IGP moved swiftly after reports surfaced linking Ikeji to a scheme in which a Romanian woman was allegedly defrauded of about $2.5 million through the impersonation of a Dubai Crown Prince.
Egbetokun was in Lagos when news of the alleged fraud began circulating widely. He was said to have abruptly returned to Abuja, where he convened an emergency meeting involving senior police officers and officials of the Force Information Technology Department, the source said.
“The moment the story broke, the IGP cut short his stay in Lagos and returned to Abuja,” one senior officer said. “He summoned the IT unit and top officers and accused some personnel of leaking information to the media. There was panic everywhere.”
Sources alleged that alongside an internal probe to identify officers suspected of speaking to journalists, the IGP ordered immediate steps to clean up his digital footprint.
“They monitor conversations. The police have technical tools to track communications of senior officers,” another source claimed. “The IGP does not want further reports on this issue because Ikeji allegedly visited him last year and gave him gifts and money.”
Another senior officer alleged that the IGP specifically instructed the IT department and external social media handlers to remove photographs and posts linking him to Ikeji, particularly on Instagram.
“He directed that all pictures showing him with Ikeji should be deleted,” the source said.
A separate police source corroborated the claims, stating that professional social media experts were engaged to carry out what was described as a rapid digital cleanup.
“I can confirm that the Instagram posts are gone,” the source said. “That was part of the damage-control effort after the documentary by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) went viral.”
The OCCRP documentary reportedly detailed how a Nigerian man posed as a Dubai royal to defraud a foreign victim of millions of dollars. Police insiders alleged that the suspect identified in the report is Henry Ikeji, a socialite known for displaying luxury lifestyles and claiming elite connections.
One source further alleged that Ikeji enjoyed protection within the police hierarchy due to his alleged relationship with the IGP.
“Everyone at Force Headquarters knows the man involved in the Romanian scam is Henry Ikeji,” the source claimed. “It is also widely believed that his godfather is the IGP.”
The same source alleged that Ikeji had given the police chief cash and expensive gifts during festive periods, including Christmas, though no official confirmation of this claim has been made.
Sources also linked the controversy to alleged internal power struggles within the Nigeria Police Force, including sudden redeployments of senior officers.
“IGP suddenly moved AIG Disu to Lagos,” one source alleged. “The plan is to push him out and neutralise anyone perceived as a threat to his position.”
During the week, Egbetokun approved the posting of AIG Olatunji Disu as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.
Police insiders said the unfolding scandal has created uncertainty within Force Headquarters, with the IGP reportedly shuttling frequently between Abuja and Lagos.
“There is confusion everywhere,” one source said. “He has been running what officers describe as a ‘false headquarters.’ The system is unsettled.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre has confirmed that it has commenced an investigation into the viral documentary.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, the Centre’s Commissioner of Police, CP Uche Ifeanyi, said officers had begun profiling and analysing the allegations circulating online.
“We intercepted the case that is trending,” Ifeanyi said. “This morning, I summoned my team to carry out profiling and fact-checking of the information available.”
He noted that the police had not been formally contacted by the documentary producers or the YouTuber involved and were relying on publicly available information as investigations continue.
“It is a serious matter, and the Nigeria Police Force will not sweep it under the carpet,” Ifeanyi said. “Whether the complaint comes from social media, a petition or a content creator, we will treat it seriously.”
He also warned Nigerians to be vigilant against online investment and impersonation scams, advising citizens to report suspicious activities to the police.
“When something sounds too good to be true, people should ask questions,” he said. “If you suspect fraud, report it, and we will do justice to the matter.”